Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Even rival Volkswagen understands the vast, emotional appeal of the Alfa Romeo badge. So much so, it wants to buy it. But the German car maker faces a fascinating tussle to prise it away from parent company Fiat, which believes it can turn the sporty Italian brand's fortunes around with its new hatchback.

The Giulietta is based on an all-new Fiat platform and arrives as a belated replacement for the 147 - which had reached a ripe old age of 10 - delayed by the global financial crisis.